Category Archives: History

Katy, Education, Teaching and Research

Education Teaching and Research, History

Katy, English Literature and History student, applied to the Career Mentoring Scheme to gain a better understanding of what being in the teaching profession entails. Through the scheme, Katy was matched with a Geography graduate from the University of Exeter who is now the Head of Geography at Gravesend Grammar School.

Katy tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Katy achieved all of her objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of effective application forms in this sector
  • Improved personal development skills
  • Increased knowledge of good and bad aspects of the profession

Katy also achieved her personal objectives of completing a draft of her personal statement for a PGCE application before the application opened.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

The highlight of the mentor scheme was being able to shadow classroom teachers in a local school, and get involved with the tasks assigned to students.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

I found the work experience and help with my personal statement most helpful. My mentor provided some outstanding advice on how to produce the best possible personal statement.

Emma, Education, Teaching and Research

Education Teaching and Research, History

Emma, History student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to understand what makes a great teacher and how she can develop her skills to suit this. Through the scheme, Emma was matched with a Geography graduate from the University of Exeter who is now a Geography Teacher and Head of Department at Rookwood School.

“I learnt so much more from my mentor than I found on websites and other careers resources”

Emma tells us more about her experience below:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

It was great to get an honest opinion about teaching – it was good to know what kind of skills and experience schools look for in teachers, and how I can best demonstrate this in my applications and interviews.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into the sector, CV improvements, understanding what skills to develop for the sector.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

The scheme is a great way of getting personal insight into the career sector you are interested in. I learned so much more from my mentor about the education sector and teaching than I found on websites and other careers resources because the personal experiences they could draw on. They provided great help with my CV and applications for further study/employment.

Hubert, Insurance, Pensions and Actuarial

History, Insurance Pensions and Actuarial

Hubert, History and International Relations student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme, to gain insight into the insurance industry and develop a professional network. Through the scheme, Hubert was matched with a Management Science and Operational Research graduate at the University of Exeter, who is now the Head of Product ENEA at MetLife.

Hubert tells us more about his experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Hubert achieved many objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of effective application forms in this sector
  • Received help to improve CV
  • Received work experience

What were your highlights of the scheme?

The main highlight for me was having my mentor organise some work experience for me at MetLife’s Brighton office. This was highly insightful and gave me something relevant to the industry to put on my CV. Equally, meeting him at his Canary Wharf office to go over interview techniques was a fruitful experience.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Obtaining work experience and guidance on application forms.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

If you are a student with very little experience of the industry you are looking to go into, the career mentor scheme can open doors and give you some useful insights into that industry; if you use it well.

Victoria, Hospitality and Event Management

History, Hospitality and Event Management

Victoria, History and International Relations student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn about the requirements and skills demanded in an event management career. Through the scheme, Victoria was matched with an MSc International Management and BA Hons in Archaeology and Ancient History graduate from the University of Exeter who is now the European Operations Manager at Fluid Design and Construction.

Victoria tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Victoria achieved many objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of finding internships and work experience in this sector
  • Improved personal development skills, such as confidence building
  • Increased knowledge of sector entry requirements

Victoria also found her mentor helped her to choose her masters and found that shadowing enabled her to see if she was really interest in the field through the daily work insight.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

  • Precise advice given relatable to the field
  • Advice on my studies and work experience, whether it is enough or scarce
  • Up-to-date information on what employers search for in a CV

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Insight and shadowing
  • Help with my CV, LinkedIn profile and application questions

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

This is a really useful and privileged insight in your field that cannot be replaced. You have the privilege of contact with an employee who is able to share his/her up-to-date knowledge of the field. It is a useful resource to help decipher application questions and forms.

Lara, Charity and Development Work

Charity and Development Work, History

Lara, History student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain key employability skills, but also learn more about pursuing a career in the charitable sector. Through the scheme, Lara was matched with the Alumni Relations Manager at Royal Holloway, University of London. This mentor’s role involves managing relationships, drafting communications and organising events for both staff and students.

“Receive first hand advice in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.”

Lara achieved many objectives including receiving an offer of future help with applications, advice on using LinkedIn successfully and improved personal development skills.

Lara shared her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

I really enjoyed the scheme and meeting my mentor in person was a key highlight as it allowed me to have a really in depth discussion about my career options, and receive a lot of advice personal to me.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Important advice on how best to fill out applications and networking opportunities.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

It really is such a great opportunity to gain a real insight into your chosen sector and receive first hand advice in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.

Ciaran, Libraries and Heritage

History, Libraries and Heritage

Ciaran, Medieval studies postgraduate student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain advice form a professional in the industry. Through the scheme, Ciaran was matched with a Volunteer Coordinator at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and At Gallery (RAMM). This mentor has an MA in Archaeology and Heritage Management and a BA in Egyptology and Ancient History.

“If you put effort into it, you will be rewarded for it.”

Ciaran achieved many objectives including developing a LinkedIn profile, received help with CV and increased knowledge of further education and professional courses relevant to this sector.

Ciaran shared his experience of the scheme:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

I helped host a launch event at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum for my mentor and was able to meet lots of people employed locally in the heritage sector- which was great!

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into volunteer management work in the heritage sector.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Only go for it if you are willing to make the most of it; otherwise someone else might miss out who needs the help more. If you put effort into it, you will be rewarded for it.

Elizabeth, Advertising, Marketing and PR

Advertising Marketing and PR, History

Elizabeth, History student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to improve her prospects of pursuing a career in PR and Media. Through the scheme, Elizabeth was matched with an Account Executive for Road Communications, London, who specialises in Healthcare Accounts, such as medicines, medical technology and hospital services.

“I have found it great that my mentor is willing to stay in contact and help me with my career prospects in the future.”

Elizabeth shared her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

This has been a great opportunity to meet someone in the industry I wish to go into. Hearing about his experiences in the industry but also at university has really helped me in thinking about how I approach working life.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

It was great to get an insight into my chosen profession, particularly as I had secured work experience, and he was able to provide me with advice before my first day and during the process.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Definitely do it! You get out of the scheme exactly what you put it! The mentors are so willing to help and offer you whatever support you want. My mentor has agreed to stay in contact with me as he knows I don’t want to go straight into a career and want to spend time travelling.

Hannah, Libraries and Heritage

History, Libraries and Heritage, , , ,

Hannah, a History student, was interested in pursuing a career with the National Trust after writing her dissertation around their property and volunteering with one of their properties in Cornwall. Through the scheme, Hannah was matched with a House and Collections Manager for the National Trust, Erddig, which involves team leadership, budget management and strategizing for emerging visitor markets. This mentor also has an MA in Heritage Management.

“I received really excellent advice throughout”

Hannah achieved all of her objectives increasing increased knowledge of sector entry requirements, received help to improve her CV and improved her personal development skills additionally her mentor was able to provide academic help to Hannah as she completed her dissertation.

Hannah shared some insight into her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

I received really excellent advice throughout as well as extensive help with my dissertation as it was based upon the heritage sector.

Georgina, Charity and Development

Charity and Development Work, History, , , ,

Georgina, a History student, was interested in a career in the Public or Voluntary sector but was slightly confused about the overwhelming number of opportunities in both sectors. Previously, Georgina has researched the Civil Service schemes, MI5 programmes and the Met Police tracks. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Georgina was matched with the Director of Development and Engagement for Contact a Family, a national charity supporting families with children who have disabilities or additional needs. This mentor has also worked for Join In, National Council for Voluntary Youth Services, and London Voluntary Services Council.

“Make it your responsibility to make the most out of it.”

Georgina achieved many objectives including increased knowledge of job hunting resources, increased knowledge of effective application forms and a increased knowledge of finding and securing internships and work experience.

Georgina shared her experience:

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Talking to a professional
  • My mentor introduced his colleagues including both recent graduates and more experienced
  • Went to a conference and saw how it operated

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Take the opportunity and make it your responsibility to make the most out of it.

Kirby, Politics and Government

History, Politics and Government, Politics and International Relations, , ,

Kirby, a History student, applied for the Career Mentor Scheme after considering a few different career paths such as law, politics and working in the Foreign Office. Through the scheme, Kirby was matched with a Member of Parliament for West Bromwich West in the House of Commons. This mentor wanted to share his experience of the profession and provide some advice and guidance through the scheme.

“It helped me to narrow down my areas of interest, as well as providing great networking opportunities and contacts in the industry”

Kirby met all of her objectives, including being able to narrow down areas she was considering for graduate employment, increased knowledge of effective application forms in this sector and improved personal development skills.

Kirby shared her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

  • Gaining a full tour of the Houses of Parliament
  • Understanding better the relationship between the government and NGOs/the media
  • Forming professional relationships with people at different levels of government

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Networking
  • Confirming for me that I would like to work in a political organisation rather than political party

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

The scheme is as useful as you want it to be – if you are dedicated to regularly contacting your mentor and have a clear idea of what you wish to gain from the scheme it can be incredibly rewarding. As someone who was unsure of what they wanted to do after University, this scheme was useful to me as it helped me to narrow down my areas of interest, as well as providing great networking opportunities and contacts in the industry.